Printing press



E. w. COOPER.

PRINTlNG PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.20. I919 PatentMSept. 5, 19226 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

E. W. COOPER.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION man DEC.20. I919,

Patented Sept. 5, 19229 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTO E- W. COOPER.

PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED 050 20, 1919.

PatentedSept. 5, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922.

UNITED STATES 1,428,080 PATENT OFFICE.

ELLIS W. COOPER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PRINTING PRESS.

Application filed December 20, 1919. Serial No. 346,203.

and more especially to rotary intaglio print-- ing presses employing a flexible, intaglio plate or plates carried upon the form cylinder and cooperating with the doctor blade or scraper.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter, and in part will be obvious herefrom' or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained through the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

he accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

()f the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a printing press embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a full- 59nd elevation of the press, looking at Fig. 1 from the right;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan of the press, looking down on the right hand half of the press shown in Fig. 1, but showing the full width offthe press;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of the doctor blade vibrating mechanism, looking thereat from the left in Fig. 1;

F 5 is a development of the intaglio plate, showing the angular inclination of the edges which extend along the cylinder with respect to the late edges which extend around the cylinder; and

F ig. 6 is a detail of a fastening and reinforcing strip for the plate edge.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of exampleone embodiment of the invention, it is shown embodied in a double rotary offset press, the two offset cylinders working against each other, each cylinder printing its side of the web or sheet and each offset cylinder acting as an impression cylinder for the other offset cylinder. Each ofl'set cylinder is provided with its own intaglio design cylinder, and each intaglio cylinder has thereon a flexible separate intaglio plate, the edges of the plate being constructed'and arranged to furnish a continuous support for the longitudinally vibrating doctor blade or scraper as the edges of the plate pass thereunder.

The foregoing is effected by having the straight edges of the intaglio plate, that is the edges that lie along the cylinder, as distinguished from the edges which are curved around the cylinder, set at a slight angle to the elements and the axis of the cylinder, the

object being to present a support beneath the longitudinally vibrating doctor blade at all times. The plate holding and stretching devices also are capacitated to bring the two edges of the plate-very close together, and practically into close contact with each other at their bend over the edges of the depression in the cylinder wherein are located the holding and stretching devices.

This support of theblade might be effected by an alternative corresponding construction of the doctor blade, leaving the edges of the plate parallel. to the elements or axis of the cylinder, but the foregoing described construction is regarded as the preferable form. r

With such a press, the intaglio plates can be removed and substituted one for another without any more disturbance than in an ordinary relief or planographic rotary press, that is, the cylinders need not be lifted, removed or otherwise to put a design directly thereon, ,there is no necessity for slippin cy lindr-ical plates over the ends of cylin ers, nor is it necessary to electrolyticall' coat the cylindrical surface of the cylin ers as is usually done.

While the invention is described as applied to a double rotary offset press,-it will be clear that it is applicable. to other press arrangements and constructions. Furthermore, other objects and features of the invention andadvantages flowing therefrom will be pointed out later herein or will be self apparent to those skilled in the art, as already stated.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the intaglio cylinders 1 are suitably journaled and are gear driven, and run inrespective color fountains 2 in the usual manner. The cylinders l are journaled, re-

spectively, on the structure of the fountains 2, and are movable to and from printing position. For this purpose the foregoingdescribed structures including the ink fountains are mounted, respectively, on horizontally disposed guideways 4 on the machine frame, and are provided with geared racks 5, which racks mesh, respectively, with pinions 6. The pinions 6 are fixed on shafts 7, journaled in the machine frame. By rotation of the shafts 7 the cylinders 1 are run back to provide access for removing and replacing the plates, for cleaning up, and for other purposes, and are then movable back to printing position. The shafts 7 are preferably formed with squared ends to take a crank.

Referring now to the plate holding and stretching devices, these are arranged to cooperate with a plate the straight or uncurved edges of which (that is, the edges which lie along the cylinder, as distinguished from the edges which pass around the cylinder and are curved in so doing) are set at a slight angle from the axis and the elements of the sur face of the cylinder (that is, the imaginary lines lying in the surface of the cylinder parallel to the axis thereof). This will be clear from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3. The plate stretching and holding devices likewise are adapted to bring the two bent edges at the ends of the plate into close contact with each other, as will appear from. Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thereby presenting a practically continuous surface about the cylinder.

As embodied, a recess 10 is formed within and along the cylinders 1, disposed as stated at a slight angle to the axis of the cylinder. On one side the recess is undercut, as at 11, to receive in locking engagement the strip 12, at one end of the plate 13, the top of the recess and the top of the strip 12 being beveled to lock together as shown in Fig. 6.

On the opposite side of the recess 10 is a longitudinally disposed segment 14 of the cylinder body, comprising a portion of the plate-'supportin surface thereof. This segment is pivotal? supported in the cylinder to rock upwartfly to receive the strip 12 which is fastened to the other end of the intaglio printing plate, and is formed with a bevel as shown in Fig. 6 to interlock therewith, as shown in Fig. 6. The segment 14, with the locking and holding strip 12 interlooked therewith, then rocks downwardly from the position shown on cylinder 1 at the right of Fig. 1 to the position shown on cylinder 1 at the left of Fig. 1. Thus the plate 13 is stretched and its edges are brought together as shown at the left hand cylinder 1 .in Fig. 1, and as shown at 15 in Figs. 2 and 3.

The embodied form of rocking and locking means for the segment 14 comprises two pins 16 and 17 mounted with a taper fit in the heads of the form cylinder 1 and projecting with a screw-thread engagement into recesses in the segment 14, which serve as a pivotal mounting for the segment in its movements already described. Two screw threaded pins 18 and 19 are also mounted with a taper in the cylinder head and are retractable to permit the segment 14 to pass down into the plate stretching and locking position, and screw into the segment when in that position, to hold it in position.

The doctors or scrapers 20 for removing the surplus ink from the surface of the plates 13 as their cylinder 1 revolves in the ink fountains 2, are shown at both sides in Fig. 1 in scraping or cleaning engagement with the cylinders 1. One of the blades 20 with its vibrating mechanism is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Blade 20 is mounted on a shaft or pintle 21, mounted for longitudinal movement in the fountain frame.

At the left hand end in Figs. 2 and 3, shaft 21 is journaled to rotate or rock in a frame 22, but is held from longitudinal movement relatively to the frame. Frame 22 is slidably mounted on horizontally extending pins 23, 24 and 25, which are fixed to and extend outwardly from the ink fountain wall or frame. Frame 22 and shaft 21 and scraper blade 20 are thus reciprocable together longitudinally of the blade 20.

The embodied form of means for im arting this reciprocal motion comprises a ever 26 pivoted on the fountain wall or frame at 27. Lever 26 has a pin 28 extending downwardly therefrom between two collars 29 and 30 formed on the scraper blade shaft 21. Thus, as lever 26 is vibrated to and fro about pivot 27, longitudinal reciprocatory movement is imparted to blade 20, its shaft 21 and frame 22. Lever 26 (Figs. 3 and 4) at its free end is yoked and straddles a pin 32 fixed eccentricallyon the side face of a worm gear 33, which gear is journaled in a bracket 34 on the fountain frame. Gear 33 meshes with a worm 35 on the shaft of cylinder 1. Lever 26 is thus vibrated and through the mechanism just described imparts longitudinal vibration to doctor blade Means are provided for rocking the blade 20 away from its cylinder 1, and as embodied shaft 21 has fixed to its outer end an arm 40 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) extending upwardly alongside the frame 22. Arm 40 has an arcuate slot 41 formed in an e.- tension 42of the arm, and through this slot a clamping screw projects into the frame 22, the screw having a crank arm 43 fixed thereto. The arm 43 is screwed into a recess at the right hand end of slot 41 in Fig. 4 to holdblade 20 in cleaning or scraping relation to its cylinder 1, as shown in Fig. 4. By unscrewing crank 43 and swinging arm 40 to the right in Fig. 4, shaft 21' is as herein the scope of the appended claims without.

rocked and blade 20 is swung away from cylinder 1. The parts can be held in this position by screwing crank 43 down in the recess at the left handend of slot 41, which is in register with the clamping screw when arm 40 is rocked backwardly as already described.

The printing elements in the illustrated embodiment are the offset cylinders 45 and 46, as already stated, one cylinder printing one side of a "web or sheet, or other impression-receiving material and the other oflset cylinder printingv the other side thereof,

each cylinder acting as the impression cylinder for the other. The gap for the blanket stretching devices in each offset cylinder is preferably arranged so that the edges of the plates in the corresponding intaglio cylinder will register therewith and so that the gap in the offset surface will include the entire angle of the edges of the intaglio plate. This is structurally ossible, as an angle in the edges of the intaglio plates suflicient to support the doctor b ade in the manner described will be very small, and well within the usual marginal allowance for the printing.

It will be clear that the broad features of the invention are not limited to a double offset press, nor to a double press, as a single press could be employed and the intaglio cylinders (could print directly, and a sheet feed could be used where desired.

It will be understood that departures may be made from the details of the invention embodied and described within departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is 1. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder aving a recess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angleto the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to( its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and means in the recess for holding said inclined edges ofgthe flexible intaglio plate and means forstretching' the plate circumferentially about the cylinder.

'2. A rotary intaglio printingpress including in combination a cylinder having a recess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angle to the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglioplate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to its curved edges as said slot makes with' the cylinder heads, means in the recess for holding said inclined edges of the flexible intaglio plate, and an cess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angle to the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined .at substantially the same angle to' its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and

a plate holding and stretching member on said cylinder adapted to engage with one of the inclined edges of said intaglio plate, said member being movable to stretch the plate and thereby almost close the recess in the,

cylinder and to bring the opposite inclined edges of the plate upon the cylinder very closely together, thereby presentin a practically continuous surface about t e cylinder and means for stretching the plate circumferentially about the cylinder.

4;. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder having a recess therein arranged lon itudinally thereof and at aslight angle to t e elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and a plate holding and stretching member on said cylinder adapted to engage with one of the inclined edges of said intaglio plate, said member being movable to stretch the plate and thereby almost close the recess in the cylinder and to bring the opposite inclined edges of the plate upon the cylinder very closely together, thereby presentinga practically continuous surface about the cylinder, and an offset cylinder having a blanket stretched thereabout to receive an impression from said intaglio plate, the offset cylinder having a recess therein of a width substantially equal to the inclination of said recess in the intaglio cylinder and in register therewith, and blanketstretching means in the recess in the offset cylinder.

5. A rotaryintaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder having a recess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angle to the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate. stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and a plate, holding and stretching member pivotally mounted on said cylinder with plate lot holding devices on its outer face, said face and plate holding devices being inclined to correspond to the inclined edge of the intaglio plate, said member being movable about its pivotal mounting into position to form a portion of the curved surface of the cylinder beneath the plate and tobring the opposite inclined edges of the plate upon the cylinder very close together, thereby presenting a practically continuous surface about the cylinder.

6. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder having arecess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angle to the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and means in' the slot for stretching the plate to bring both ends of. the plate very closely together, thereby presenting a practically continuous surface about the cylinder and means for stretching the plate circumferentially about the cylinder.

7 A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder having a recess therein arranged longitudinally thereof and at a slight angle to the elements of the surface of the cylinder, a thin, flexible intaglio plate stretched about said cylinder with its straight edges inclined at substantially the same angle to its curved edges as said slot makes with the cylinder heads, and means in the slot for stretching the plate to bring both ends of the plate into contact with each other, thereby presenting a practically continuous surface about the cylinder and means for stretching the plate circumferentially about the cylinder.

8. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexiblev intaglio printing plate and having a recess therein and a plate holding and stretching member pivotally mounted in said recess and having its exterior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching p0 sition, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being inclined with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder.

9. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexible intaglio printing plate and having a recess therein and a plate holding and stretching member movably mounted in said recess and having its ex terior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being inclined with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder and means-for stretching the plate circumferentially about the cylinder.

10. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexible intaglio printing plate and having a recess thereinand a plate holding and stretching member pivotally mounted in said recess and'having its exterior surface of cylindrical sha e to conform to the shape of the cylinder w en the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being inclined with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder, the edge of the cylinder along the recess facing the plate holding and stretching member being correspondingly inclined.

11. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexible intaglio printing plate and having a recess therein and a plate holding and stretching member movably mounted in said recess and having its exterior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being inclined with. respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder, the edge of the cylinder along the recess facing the plate holding and stretching member being correspondingly inclined and eans for stretching the plate circumferentia ly about the cylinder.

.12. A rotary intaglio printing press in cluding in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexible intaglio printing plate and having a recess therein and a plate holding and stretching member pivotally mounted in said recess and having its exterior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being inclined with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder, the edge of the cylinder along the recess facing the plate holding and stretching member bein correspondingly inc-lined. and spaced there rom substantially twice the thickness of the plate used on the press.

13. A rotary intaglio printing press including in combination a cylinder adapted to take a thin flexible intaglio printing plate and having a recess therein and a plate hold-. ing and stretching member niovably mounted in said recess and having its exterior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a plate holding device on its front edge, said edge and holding means being incllned with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cyl and having a recess therein and a plate holding and stretching member pivotally mounted in said recess and having its exterior surface of cylindrical shape to conform to the shape of the cylinder when the member is in the holding and stretching position, said member having a locking edge to take a locking stripfastened to the edge of the plate said locking edge of said member being inclined with respect to the elements of the cylindrical surface of the cylinder.

15. A thin, flexible intaglio printing, plate having straight opposite parallel edges adapted to be curved about a cylinder and having its other two edges slightly inclined with respect to said two first-mentioned edges and parallel to each other, and a design upon the plate alined with said two first-mentioned edges and means fast to said plate end which interlock with the cylinder.

16. A thin flexible intaglio printing plate having straight opposite parallel edges adapted to be curved about a cylinder and having its other two edges slightly inclined with respect to said two first-mentioned edges and parallel to each other, and stretching devices attached to said two inclined edges interlocking with the cylinder structure.

17 A thin. flexible intaglio printing plate having straight opposite parallel edges adapted to be curved about a cylinder and having its other two edges slightly inclined with respect to said two first-mentioned edges and parallel to each other, andv rigid locking strips attached to said inclined edges of the plate interlocking with the cylinder structure.

In testimony whereof, l have name to this specification.

ELLIS W. COOPER.

signed my 

